CSA's web-based tool allows investors to search registration of securities
industry participants across multiple Canadian jurisdictions

VANCOUVER , Dec. 21 /CNW/ - The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) is encouraging investors across Canada to use its National Registration Search (NRS) to check the registration of a firm or individual when considering an investment opportunity or using a financial adviser.

Canadian securities industry professionals and firms are required to register with the securities regulatory authority in each province or territory where they do business. Investors can use NRS to search for information about individuals and firms registered with the participating securities regulatory authorities.

    
    Searching NRS allows investors to:

    -  check a registrant's current or historical status dating back to
       March 14, 2003
    -  determine the category of registration that applies to an individual
       or a firm
    -  understand any registration terms or conditions that apply to a
       registrant
    -  view the participating jurisdictions where a firm or individual is
       registered
    

Investors can search NRS on the CSA website (www.securities-administrators.ca), or link to it through a participating provincial regulator's website. Registration information from the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is not currently included in NRS. The registration section on the CSA website links to the OSC's Check Registration tool for Ontario registrants.

The CSA launched NRS in early November and introduced it to industry and various stakeholders in order to test its capacity and encourage user feedback. The CSA used this input to make some changes and additions to NRS that improved usability, accessibility and design.

Firm and individual registration relies on National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements and Exemptions (NI 31-103) and related rules, which create a Canada-wide registration regime.

NI 31-103 also works with the passport system, which allows individuals and firms to register in more than one province or territory by dealing only with their principal regulator.

The CSA, the council of the securities regulators of Canada's provinces and territories, co-ordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets.

For further information: Ken Gracey, British Columbia Securities Commission, [phone]; Sylvain Théberge, Autorité des marchés financiers, [phone]; Mark Dickey, Alberta Securities Commission, [phone]; Robert Merrick, Ontario Securities Commission, [phone]; Ainsley Cunningham, Manitoba Securities Commission, [phone]; Wendy Connors-Beckett, New Brunswick Securities Commission, [phone]; Natalie MacLellan, Nova Scotia Securities Commission, [phone]; Barbara Shourounis, Saskatchewan Financial Services Commission, [phone]; Janice Callbeck, PEI Securities Office, Office of the Attorney General, [phone]; Doug Connolly, Financial Services Regulation Div., Newfoundland and Labrador, [phone]; Fred Pretorius, Yukon Securities Registry, [phone]; Louis Arki, Nunavut Securities Office, [phone]; Donn MacDougall, Northwest Territories Securities Office, [phone]